Steven Hicks’ slaying in 1978 triggered the series of atrocious acts by serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, as depicted in the Netflix documentary “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.”
In any case, Jeffrey killed Hicks when his parents were away, and he was staying with relatives in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, just three weeks after receiving his high school diploma.
Who Was Steven Hicks?
Steven Hicks, an 18-year-old who had recently completed his high school education, fell victim to Jeffrey Dahmer.
Individuals who were acquainted with him described him as a kind and empathetic individual who relished helping others and was always open to making new acquaintances.
He abhorred violence and refrained from harming others, whether they were humans or animals. Consequently, his tragic and premature demise is difficult to come to terms with.
Steven’s Homicide Was Spontaneous
In 1978, shortly after graduation, Dahmer murdered his inaugural victim.
On June 18, 1978, during his routine commute, Jeffrey noticed a hitchhiker waiting by the roadside for a ride.
As he approached Jeffrey, Steven Hicks introduced himself and mentioned that he was headed to an Ohio event at Chippewa Lake Park.
Dahmer asserted that seeing the half-naked Hicks standing by the road kindled his desire to take him home.
Jeffrey enticed the hitchhiker with beer, persuaded him to accompany him to his residence since he was alone, and realized that he would be able to manipulate Hicks easily. Upon reaching Jeffrey’s house, the two engaged in conversation and beer drinking while enjoying music.
Allegedly, Jeffrey was sexually attracted to Hicks, but when Hicks began discussing girls, Jeffrey realized he had no chance.
Gradually, Jeffrey’s behavior became increasingly unsettling, and finally, Hicks requested to be taken to the event, as agreed upon.
However, refusing to let him go, Jeffrey struck Hicks twice on the head from behind with a 10-pound dumbbell, rendering him unconscious.
Dahmer then strangled Hicks when he lost consciousness after being struck with the dumbbells.
Following the removal of Hicks’ clothing, Jeffrey committed lewd acts over his body while grazing his chest with his hands. The subsequent day, in his basement, Dahmer dismembered Hicks’ body.
“I have always known that to be wrong. It wasn’t planned to commit the first murder,” Dahmer told Inside Edition in 1993.
Steven Hicks’ Body Has Never Been Found
Regrettably, Jeffrey meticulously obliterated Steven Hicks’ remains; therefore, his body has not been discovered to this day.
He pulverized his bones, dissolved the flesh in acid, and disposed of the remains in a wooded area near his house.
The acid used to dissolve Hicks’ flesh was also flushed down the drain.
In the years following Hicks’ disappearance and death, his family enlisted the services of a private investigator and cooperated with the police, but to no avail.
The remains of Hicks were never located.
The Third Episode Of The Netflix Series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Depicts Steven’s Killing
The accidental nature of Steven Hicks’ murder was portrayed in episode three of the Netflix series.
The series depicted the lifting of weights and consumption of beer, but when Steve attempted to depart to meet his friends, Jeffrey prevented his exit.
Jeffrey struck Steven with a dumbbell when he tried to flee, subsequently strangling him, dismembering his body, and scattering the pieces in the woods behind his family’s residence. This account was validated by Dahmer himself.
Steven’s Family Sued Lionel For Neglectful Parenting
Jeffrey’s father, Lionel, penned a book in 1994 titled A Father’s Story and contributed a portion of the proceeds to the victims’ families.
While most of the victims’ families supported Lionel and Shari, three families later filed lawsuits against him, two for unauthorized inclusion of their names in the book.
Steven Hicks’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lionel, Shari, and former wife Joyce, citing parental negligence as the cause of death.
Conclusion
On June 18, Steven Mark Hicks was last spotted hitchhiking to a rock concert at Chippewa Lake Park in Bath, Ohio.
According to Dahmer, the young man’s exposed chest caught his attention as he was driving.
He was strangled to death, his body was destroyed, and his scattered remains were in the woods behind Dahmer’s childhood home.
